Inklingo

How to Say "lads" in Spanish

English → Spanish

chicos

/CHEE-kohs//ˈtʃikos/

NounA1colloquial
Use 'chicos' when referring to a group of young people, particularly boys, in a general, everyday, and informal way, similar to 'guys' or 'kids' in American English.
A diverse group of young children, boys and girls, laughing and playing together in a sunny park.

Examples

Los chicos están jugando en el parque.

The lads (guys/kids) are playing in the park.

Hola chicos, ¿cómo están?

Hey guys, how are you?

Tengo dos chicos, un niño y una niña.

I have two kids, a boy and a girl.

The 'Masculine Plural' Rule for Mixed Groups

In Spanish, if you have a group of people that includes even one male, you use the masculine plural form. So, 'chicos' can mean 'a group of boys' OR 'a group of boys and girls'.

Forgetting the Mixed-Group Rule

Mistake: “Seeing a group of 10 girls and 1 boy and calling them 'las chicas'.”

Correction: Even with just one boy, the group becomes 'los chicos'. It feels strange at first, but it's a key rule in Spanish.

muchachos

/moo-CHAH-chohs//muˈtʃa.tʃos/

NounA1general
Opt for 'muchachos' when you want to specifically emphasize the 'boys' aspect, especially in contexts that might feel slightly more formal or when referring to a group where 'boys' is a more fitting descriptor, common in some Latin American countries.
A simple illustration showing three young boys running and laughing in a sunny park.

Examples

Los muchachos están jugando al fútbol en el parque.

The lads (boys) are playing soccer in the park.

¡Hola, muchachos! ¿Cómo están?

Hey, guys! How are you?

Un grupo de muchachos y muchachas fue al cine.

A group of boys and girls went to the movies.

The 'Inclusive' Masculine Form

In Spanish, if a group includes even one boy among many girls, you use the masculine plural 'muchachos' to refer to everyone. It's the default for mixed groups.

Forgetting the Mixed-Group Rule

Mistake: “Seeing a group of boys and girls and thinking you must always say 'muchachos y muchachas'.”

Correction: It's more common and natural to just say 'muchachos' to include everyone. Saying both is usually for emphasis or clarification, not a requirement.

Chicos vs. Muchachos Nuance

Learners often confuse 'chicos' and 'muchachos' because both can mean 'lads' or 'boys'. The main difference lies in register and regional preference. 'Chicos' is generally more informal and widely understood, akin to 'guys', while 'muchachos' can sometimes feel slightly more specific to 'boys' and is more common in certain Latin American regions.

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